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Northwest Michigan Works! and NMC Training Initiative to Strengthen Michigan’s EV workforce

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2025

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TRAVERSE CITY, MI– [6/5/25] - Northwest Michigan Works! and Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) have successfully expanded the region’s ability to train the next generation of skilled EV technicians by obtaining $120,000 in state workforce development funds.

Funded through the State of Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Jobs Program, the initiative was designed to support both employers and workers in the rapidly evolving mobility sector. Northwest Michigan Works! partnered with NMC to provide $120,000 in EV Jobs Program funding for the Automotive Program, allowing the college to scale its hybrid and EV training capabilities for enrolled students.

“This partnership is a critical step toward preparing our region for the future of transportation,” said Tami Wolverton, Regional Director of Workforce Programming at Northwest Michigan Works!. “With the support of Northwest Michigan Works!, NMC is now able to expand their training capacity and equip both students and experienced technicians with the skills they need to succeed in the electric vehicle industry. This investment helps ensure that Northern Michigan remains at the forefront of automotive innovation.”

Approximately 50-75 working automotive technicians will now receive EV training annually and support a pipeline of EV-ready talent for northern Michigan employers. 

Michigan’s growing EV sector demands technicians who are proficient not only in conventional automotive systems, but also in emerging EV and hybrid technologies. Currently, NMC is the only provider of EV-specific training in Northern Michigan, making this expansion vital to regional economic growth.

With strong industry support and continued collaboration between education and workforce development agencies, the initiative has helped ensure that Northern Michigan remains competitive in the national EV landscape.

For more information about Northwest Michigan Works! services please visit www.nwmiworks.org or to learn more about NMC Automotive Technology Program visit http://nmc.edu/automotive

The Networks Northwest team did a great job to help the City of Charlevoix and Charlevoix Township collaborate in addressing housing challenges in our community. They facilitated dialogue with Planning Commissioners, community stakeholders, and municipal officials to develop a plan for cohesive zoning in areas of growth for our two governments. Further, they were able to pinpoint the challenges in each unit and propose changes that would be beneficial all around. Together, we believe we'll be better prepared for housing developments and job growth in our region. We look forward to working with them on future projects!
- Mark Haydlauff, City Manager, Charlevoix